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Private Pilot Airplane practice question 55
The wind at 5,000 feet AGL is southwesterly while the surface wind is southerly. This difference in direction is primarily due to
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Correct answer: B. friction between the wind and the surface.
Within about 2,000 feet of the ground, surface friction slows the wind. That weakens the Coriolis force, so surface wind is turned toward lower pressure and differs in direction from the wind aloft.
References
- Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (FAA-H-8083-25C), p. 12-4, Weather Theory · search it in our library
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Question 55 from the FAA document Private Pilot-Airplane (PAR) Sample Questions (U.S. Government work, public domain) · ACS/LSC code PA.I.C.K3b. The FAA does not publish an answer key; the answer and explanation are ours, with references. Verify against the current regulations and handbooks.